Pocket-grinder loader



` Oct. 22, 1929. P. P. wl-:sTBYE 1,733,038

` POCKET GRIYNDEH LOADER Filed 00TH A29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l MAM OGL 22, 1929. P. P. wEsTBYE POCKET GRINDER LOADER Filed Oct. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet Oct. 22, 1929. P. P. wEsTBYE POCKET GRINDER LOADER Filed 0G12. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet /n van for Ped'er Pederson mes/L6 ye Oct. 22, 1929. P. P. WESTBYE 1,733,038

POCKET GRINDER LOADER Filed Oct. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /17 Ven fo r Per/er Pederson Ms/e @my MLM orney,

Oct. 22, 1929. P. P; wEsTBYE 1,733,938

POCKET GRINDER LOADER Filed Oct. 29, 1927v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 /n Venfor ##orney.

Patented Get. 272, i929 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

POCKET-GRINDER LOADER Application led October 29, 1927.

This invention relates to apparatus for grinding pulpwood and particularly to improvements in grinders of the pocket type, 1n which the wood is applied to the grinding 5 element in a series of pockets.

The object of the invention is to provide a pocket grinder of greatly increased capacity, and efficient operation, with means to load the pockets mechanically with larger logs of wood than could be conveniently fed by hand to this type of apparatus.

Further objects will be set forth and described hereinafter.

Hitherto pocket grinders have been builtto take logs of two foot lengt-h, and have been loaded by hand.

Since the introduction of magazine grinders, which take four foot logs, attempts have been made -to increase the size of the pockets in pocket grinders to take the longer logs. Owing however to the unwieldy weight of wet logs of this length loading the pockets by hand is practically not feasible, and in any case would be too slow for `economical production.

By means of this invention, the larger wood is loaded into the pockets entirely by the apparatus and at a rapid rate, enabling the grinder to operate at its full capacity while hand labour is eliminated.

I am aware that attempts have been made to load the small size logs to the pockets of grinders from stationary shelves at the side of these pockets, which shelves were charged by hand or by mechanical means. This` system has never been used with success and is not in operation at the present.

The method employedl by this invention, loads the pulpwood directly into any one of the pockets of the grinder, with the minimum expenditure of power and time and eliminates the use of intermediate shelves or other storage receptacles.

The invention consists in providing a loadof pulpwood is then driven from the chaming chamber or pocket the same size as the.

Serial No. 229,699.

ber into the pocket by a ram preferably mounted in the loading chamber.

It further consists in detail improvements whereby the operation of the apparatus is under ready and immediate control and the maximum eiciency and capacity is obtained.

The pocket grinder to which my invention is attached as shown in the drawings, is a four pocket grinder of the standard type but adapted to take four foot logs in its pockets.

Mounted on the main shaft and an extension thereto, at one end, is a carrier adapted to rotate thereon, and supporting a loader pocket. This pocket has an open end adjacent to the grinder. The carrier is provided with means to rotate it and thereby bring the loader pocket to adjustment with any one of the pockets of the grinder. The loader pocket is provided with means to expel a charge of logs therefrom.

In the construction shown, the carrier travels on rollers running on circumferential tracks, and is rotated by means of mechanism operating pinions on racks at the side of the tracks.

The means to expel the load from the loader pocket, comprise a ram within the pocket operated by screws at each side, driven by gearing from the extension of the main shaft.

The drives of both the carrier and the ram so may be suitably replaced by electric motor drives.

A tripping mechanism is provided, whereby the carrier may be setv to stop at any particular pocket and locked in position to '8.5 unload. After the load has been transferred, the closing of the door of the grinder pocket unlocks the carrier, which is then returned to its loading position. The cover of the loader pocket is automatically opened when it reaches this position. i

In order to prevent too rapid descent of the carrier, spring shoe brakes are provided near the ends of the tracks.

A'counter weight is also provided to balance the weight of the carrier and loader pocket.

The following description is given of one way in which my invention may be carried out, but I do not limit the scope to this particular construction, which may be varied to suit its application to other forms of grinders. f

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front view showing the loader pocket in its loading position.

Fig. 2 is a side View, partly in section, showing the loader pocket adjusted to discharge into an upper pocket.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the loader pocket carrier and its driving gear.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the loader pocket and ram mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the loader pocket showing gearing operating the carrier.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the ram mechanism.

Figs. 7 and 8 show the safety brake on the tracks.

Fig. 9 shows the detail of carrier trip and clutch control.

Fig. 10 is a plan View of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an end View of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the locking Figs. 14 and 15 show the mechanism for opening the cover of the loader pocket.

The loader pocket 4, is secured on the carrier, which consists of two arms 5, one j ournalled on the bearing block of the main shaft 35, the other on a trunnion 12, about the eX- tension shaft 32. The pocket 4, is adjustable radially on the arms 5, by the adjustment screws 67. This is necessary when the grinder pockets 1, are readjusted radially to take up the Wear of the grinder.

The carrier operating mechanism is as follows:-At the outer end of each arm 5, are mounted a pair of rollers 23, which run on the circumferential tracks 2, having braces 3, and cross ties 11.

The arms5, are connected by a shaft 75 journalled on the lower side of each arm 5, adjacent one of the rollers 23. Pinions 24, at each end of the shaft 75, mesh with the racks 2', at the side of the tracks 2. The gear wheel 28, on the shaft 75, is controlled'by a spring friction clutch 28', meshes with a spur pinion 77, on a spindle carrying the driven sprocket 76, j ournalled on the outer arm 5.

Pulleys 27, belted to pulleys 19, controlled by the reversing clutches 19', on the extension shaft 32, drive the sprocket 26, belted to the sprocket 76, by the chain belt 25. The

vclutches 19', are operated through the reach rod 29, by the hand lever 10. The-.reach rod 29, is held in normal position by the equalizing springs 29', betweenthe bracket 43, and the bearing post 34.

VIn order vthat the elevating mechanism will convey the loader pocket 4, to vthe proper grinder vpocket 1, an automatic trip mechanism is provided. This mechanism comprises a set of notched trip plates 37, bolted to the arm 5, at the side of the trunnion 12., A rocker shaft 40, j ournalled on the brackets 39, and 45, and parallel to the reach rod 29, has a trip arm 38, mounted to `slide on a feather 40', between the brackets. VA trip fork 38', on the reach rod 41, adjusts the trip 38, to bear on any one of the trip plates 37.V

These plates 37, are notched with notches to' correspond with the position of the lifting arms 5, of the elevator in adjustment with the various grinder pockets 1, in succession. A hand lever 52, with a latch, pivoted on a slotted dial plate 53, controls the sett-ing of the trip arm 38, through the link 51, lever 50, reach shaft 49, lever 47, line 48 and reach rod 41.

Keyed to the rocking shaft 40, between the bearings 45, is a locking lever 42, with a spring lock 54, projecting downwards therefrom. A locking block 44, is keyed to the clutch reach rod 29. The locking lever 42, is held normally up, with the lock 54, pressing on the block 44.

When either of the clutches 19', is closed by Y moving the reach rod 29, the spring lock- 54, descends at one side of the block 44, and locks the clutch. The trip arm 38, while it bears on the circumference of one of the trip plates 37, holds the locking lever 42, and its lock 54, down against the tension of the spring 46. When the point of the trip arm 38, enters a notch in a trip-plate 37, the arm 38, rises and with it the locking lever 42, thereby releasing the clutch lock and opening the'clutch, which stops the elevator lifting mechanism.

In additionto this automatic trip, a spring stop pin 21, on the inner rail 2, at each grinder pocket 1, is caused to project beyond the rail 2, when the door 22, of that pocket is opened. rIhe top of the door 22, has an in- 60, with slots 60'. The side plates 60, are secured to ribbed frames 58, which rest on the slideways 5', ofthe elevator arms 5, to which they are secured by bolts. At the outer end of the pocket 4, is a flanged `plate 17, with bridgetree 17', carrying bosses 30, 30'. The central boss 30, provides a bearing for the .driven pulleys 13', and the central gear 18.

The side'bosses 30', Vprovide bearings for the screws 14, carrying the driven gears 18'. Bearings 58', at theV inner ends of the screws 14, are provided'in the frame 58. The centra1 ygear 18, has a friction disc 36. Y

. pocket in descending A ram 13, with side nut carriers 15, which project through the side slots 60', having nuts 15', meshing with the screws 14, provide means to empty the loader pocket 4. Springs 14', are provided on the screws 14, adjacent the bearings 30. Y f

The pulleys 13', are belted to the pulleys Q0, controlled by the clutch lever 9, through the reach rod 31, and the clutches 20.

The loader pocket 4, has a hinged cover 16, hinged on a rod 6', centrally journalled on a central frame member 55, and the hinges 16', secured to the side plate 60.

This cover 16, is adapted to open auto matically when the loader pocket 4, is in the loading position as shown in Fig. 1. The means of obtaining this result are shown in Figures 4 and 14, and consist of the following mechanism A central hinge leaf 62, secured to the cover 16, and pivoted on the rod 6', adjacent the bearing on the frame member 55, is linked to the tripping lever 63, by the links 6, and the lniks 59, and pin 59', in the slot 62', of the hinge leaf 62. The links 6 and 59, being pivoted on the fulcrum link 68, rotating on the rod 6'.

The cover 16, when closed, is latched by the latches 64, in the latch blocks 65. The latches 64, are operated by the links 71, the levers 69', on the shaft 66, which is rotated by the levers 69. linked to the pin 59', by the links 70.

In opening the cover 16, the tripping lever 63. as above described, first retracts the links l 59. drawing the pin 59', to the back of the slot 6:2', during which movement, the latches 64, are released, and on further movement'of the lever 63 the opening of the cover 16, then proceeds.

Vlounted on a bracket on the extension base 33, is a spring pin 7 operating the cam trip 7, which is controlled by the foot lever 8. through the reach shaft 8'. By this means the operator releases the cam trip 7, from under f' the lever 63, and the cover closes by gravity.l

In order to adjust the position of the load er pocket 4, to adjustments of the grinder pockets 1, on account of the wear of the grinder, each arm 5, has an adjustment screw 67, connected with the pocket framesA 58, whereby the loader' pocket- 4, is adjusted to the required position on the slideway 5', the elevator arms 5.

To counterbalance the weight of the elevating carrier and loader pocket mechanism.

a rope 56, secured to the outer arm 5, `and passing between the sheaves 56', is connected to a suitable counterweight, and reduces the amount of power required to operate the lifting` mechanism.

To prevent too sudden stoppage of loader either side of the circumferential track, brake shoes 74, pivoted in the roller track 2, on pins 72, supported on compression springs 73, are provided.

In order that the grinder pockets should present an unobstructed entrance for the charge of logs from the loader pocket it is necessary to provide means to retain in position the remaining unground logs after the pressure ram is withdrawn from the grinder pocket. Such means are provided in the form of a row of spring hooks 7 9, on each side of the grinder pocket just below the level of the bottom of the door of the pocket. These hooks 79, projecting inwardly and downwardly, permit the logs to pass towards the grindstone, but grip them to prevent the opposite movement. This is most important in the lower side pockets where the logs, if not retained in position, would fall down and block the passage of the fresh charge.

The operation of the apparatus constructed according to the foregoing description Vwill be as follows z-The loader pocket having been lowered to the loading position as shown in Fig. 1, and its cover being raised by the bumper and cam operating the cover` lifting mechanism, a charge of pulp wood is fed into the pocket by the chute. The logs may be raised and transferred to the chute by a suitable conveyor. When the pocket is full, the operator presses down the foot lever which removes the cam and releases the cover. The cover closes by gravity and latches.

The operator then sets the hand lever of the elevator trip to an empty grinder pocket, the door of which has been opened and the ram raised by means of the valve control lever. The opened door sets the locating stop on the side of the inner rail. Power is then applied to the elevating gear by the lifting clutch lever, and the rack pinions rotate, raising the arms and with them the loader pocket. The movement continues until the inner arm meets the projecting stop pin and the trip enters the notch in the trip plate, which releases the clutch and cuts off the power driving the elevating gear. The operator then closes the clutch of the loader pocket lram drive, and the ram begins to move towards the grinder and pushes the charge of pulp wood in the loader pocket, into the adjacent grinder pocket. When this action has been complete-d, the operator sets the valve control lever to the grinding position which closes the grinder pocket door and starts the grinder pocket ram. He then sets the band lever to the loading position, and starts the power by closing the clutch of the return or reverse drive, and the loader pocketA returns to its loading position, with its cover raised ready to receive another charge of pulp wood. T he loader ram retires to the outer end of the loader pocket during the return movement of the elevator, by closing the clutch of the reversev rain drive.

By this simple and easy method the grinder pockets can be rapidly filled and kept prac-V tically in continuous operation, giving the highest efficiency and maximum output.

Vhat I claim is 1. In combination with a pocket grinder, a loading pocket mounted on circumferential tracks, means to load the pocket, means to adjust the pocket to any one of the grinder pockets and means Within the pocket to drive the load from the loading pocket into the adjacent grinder pocket.

2. In combination With a pocket grinder, a loading pocket mounted on circumferential tracks, means to load the pocket, means to bring the pocket adjacent any one of the grinding pockets, means Within the pocket to expel the load from the loading pocket into the adjacent grinding pocket and means to return the loading pocket to the loading position. l

3. In combination with a pocket grinder, a loading pocket mounted on circumferential tracks, a cover thereto, means to open the cover When the pocket is in the loading position, means to load the pocket, means to bring the loaded pocket opposite one ot the grinding pockets and means within the pocket to expel tlie load into the grinding pocket adjacent.

4l. In combination With a pocket grinder, a loader pocket mounted on circumferential tracks, means to load the loader pocket, means to bring the loader pocket to open directly into any one of the grinder pockets, and means Within the pocket to expel the load into the grinder pocke l 5. In combination with a pocket grinder, a loader pocket, means to load the loader pocket, an elevator supporting the loader pocket, means to operate the elevator to bring the loader pocket to discharge directly into any one of the grinder pockets and means Within the pocket to discharge the loader pocket.

6. In combination with a pocket grinder, means to bring a loader pocket to open directly into any one of the grinder pockets and nism to stop the elevator at the required grinding pocket and means to expel the load from the loader pocket into the adjacent grinder pocket. l

10. In a device of the class speciied,a loader pocket, a cover hinged thereto, and means to raise the cover When the pocket is in the loading position. v l

11. In a device of the class specified, a loader pocket, a ram mounted therein, and means to operate they ram and expel the load of the pocket.

12. In a device of the class specified, a loader pocket, means to bring the pocket adjacent the grinder pockets and means to 'trip such means at any one of the grinder pockets.

13. In a pocket grinder loading mechanism,

a loader pocket mounted to rotate on circumferential tracks, anda counterWeight to balance the Weight of the rotating loader pocket.

le. In a pocket grinder, loading mechanism adapted to rotate on circumferential tracks, spring actuated brake shoes projecting from the lower ends of the tracks.

15. In a pocket grinder loading mechanism, a loader pocket mounted to rotate on circum- `ferent-ial tracks, and means to adjust the loader pocket radially to the axis of the grinder.

16. In a pocket grinder, a grindstone, a grinder pocket, means to vload the grinder pocket, and means to retain the unground logs in position against the grindstone during loading.

17 In a pocket grinder, a grinder pocket having a door adapted to permit the entrance of a load of logs, a loader pocket adapted to bring a load and feed it through the door into the grinderpocket, a series of spring hooks oneach side of the pocket, below the level of the door, adapted to grip the unground logs during the loadingof the pocket.

PEDER PEDERSON WESTBYE.

means Within the pocket to expel the loadof y the loader pocket into the adjacent grinder j pocket.

7. In combination With a pocket grinder,

'tracks and racks circumferential to the axis of the grinder, an elevator mounted to rotate ony the said axisV and run on the tracks, means to rotate the elevator meshing With the racks, and a loader pocket mounted on the elevator,

8. In combination with a pocket grinder', an elevator adapted to rotate past the entrance to the pockets about the grinder, means to control the. rotation of the elevator, a loader pocket mounted on the elevator, having means to expel its load, mounted therein.

9. In combination with a pocket grinder, an elevator adapted to rotate on the axis of the grinder element, a loader pocket mounted on the elevator, adapted tdopen directly into any one of the grinder pockets, a trip mecha- 

